The intent of the Art and Design curriculum is to provide engaging, enjoyable, challenging, coherent, and meaningful learning experiences through the exploration of artists, cultures, processes, and mediums. Our curriculum is designed to extend students’ knowledge, broaden their experiences, and develop their imagination and creativity. The focus throughout is to nurture an enthusiasm for art and to develop both critical understanding and practical skills.
In the Art Department, our aim is for every student to feel that they belong and to see themselves as creative artists from Year 7 through to Year 13. We want all students to develop the confidence and curiosity to express themselves visually and to explore the world through the eyes of an artist. This aligns with our school’s mission that “no child is left behind,” and reflects our belief that every young person should feel valued, inspired, and capable of being the best they can be.
We believe that art provides every student with a voice and a sense of belonging. Through studying a diverse range of artists, art movements, and cultures, students gain an understanding of both their own identity and the wider world around them.
At Key Stage 3, students explore a broad and enriching range of themes and disciplines, including:
Each project at KS3 builds practical skills while promoting personal expression and cultural awareness. Students learn to analyse, experiment, and refine ideas, establishing the foundation for confident creative practice at GCSE.
At Key Stage 4, students embark on the theme “Me, Myself and I”, where they investigate personal identity through a range of materials, processes, and ideas. They learn to make purposeful and informed creative decisions that communicate meaning. Alongside this, mini skills workshops enable students to refine their technical ability in drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and digital media, ensuring that all learners develop confidence across a range of approaches before pursuing their own independent directions.
Our teaching is inclusive, engaging, and challenging. Lessons are carefully planned to inspire all learners, offering scaffolded activities that support progress while encouraging experimentation and creative risk-taking. Assessment is consistent and accessible, ensuring that every student feels proud of their growth and achievement.
As a department, we are committed to nurturing thoughtful, imaginative, and socially aware young people. We encourage students to think critically, take creative risks, and appreciate the vital role art plays in shaping culture and community.
Our ambition is to deliver a curriculum that fills students with a lifelong passion for creativity, a strong sense of belonging, and the confidence to see themselves as artists — both within school and beyond.
